Suggestions for wine touring - Adelaide AU

I think they've torn Adelaide down and rebuilt wineries all over the place.

There are so many you just about can't lose.

If I were you I would buy a copy of Halliday Wine Companion [James Halliday] when you get here which you could get for less than $20AU in a Big W [large chain of low price department stores] or up to $30 elsewhere.

It is probably the most comprehensive listing you will find. It will also tell you the cellar door arrangements for whatever place you want to visit as well as tasting notes, brief history etc. It also has wineries by region list.

Is there any particular area you would like to visit?

Adelaide is in South Australia if you don't know. These maps are a little outdated but will give you a fair idea.

Mat.

PS: Are you doing business in Adelaide or just visiting to visit wineries? There are plenty of other excellent regions in most other states.

Hi Dan There are 2 great areas close to Adelaide for touring. The Barossa region (incorporating the Barossa & Eden Valleys) is about 70 minutes North of the City. While there don't miss Torbreck, Greenock Creek, Kalleske, Glaymond, Grant Burge, Peter Lehmann, Chateau Tanunda, Veritas, Charles Melton, Henshke & Seppeltsfield. Penfolds also has a big operation there if you are interested in them. South of the city (about an hour) is McLaren Vale don't miss Chapel hill, Hugh Hamilton, Kay Bros Amery, Penny's Hill, Coriole, D'arenberg, Kangarilla Road. As for appointments most of the places listed are open to drop in though some may only be open on weekends once summer is over. The South Oz government have a great site at

which has stacks of info about the regions and links to tour operators etc. McLaren Vale is on the Fleurieu Peninsula BTW if you are looking for it. Have a great time. Cheers Andrew

Dan, I really dislike most Barossa wines, so I would certainly stick to McLaren Vale or the Southern Vales as it is called. Good wineries there are Kays, Scarpantoni is excellent value - about $20.AUD - and makes very good wine, Chapel Hill is not bad.

You won't need any appointments.

Cheers Ron Lel

Barossa, McLaren Vale and/or Adelaide Hills is a strong recommendation from me.

In the Barossa I'd particularly suggest:

winery with (very) premum tasting. They also offer a more pedestrian 'historic' tour at regularly schedule intervals - that's not what I'm talking about.

special tailored to your interests if you ask nicely :)

to ring in advance.

the fine butchers, bakers and growers... Maggie Beers is worth dropping into too - good light lunches!

(book in Advance!)

McLaren Vale

close and easier to access.

Creek... but there are so many others - all which offer something unique.

D'Arenberg), Salopian Inn or Star of Greece (10 minutes away on the coast) - book in advance!

Adelaide Hills

Cellar doors are spread on windy roads requiring a good map and research. If you go just for lunch at Bridgewater Mill it's worth it :) It's nice to see the Adelaide Hills in contrast with the hot/dry Barossa and McLaren Vale.

If you'd like any specific suggestions please feel free to email.

Kind regards Adrian

Rooview - a personal, independent South Australian restaurant review site.

Hello Daniel, further to my last message - Penfolds Magill Estate is literally 15-20 minutes from Adelaide city. It's the source of lots of the grapes from the famous 'Grange'. If you ring, beg and grovel they may be able to organise something special (with appropriate cost). If not, the cellar door (without appointment) allows an opportunity to taste a cross section of Penfolds more affordable and experimental wines. A dinner at the restaurant Magill Estate is something special too. Where else can you get Grange by the glass? :)

Kind regards, Adrian

Rooview - a personal, independent South Australian restaurant review site.

Thanks Mat

I will be in Sydney and Melbourne on business. Thought I'd go to Adelaide because I've heard of great reds coming from that area. Was thinking of Coonawarra or McLaren Vale. From the map it looks like a high concentration of wineries in either area.

How are is it from Adelaide? Is a car necessary to explore the area or is there good public transportation?

Thanks for your help and the pointer to the book.

Hello Daniel,

There are some good places in NSW and Victoria you can visit while you are here. Yarra Valley near Melbourne comes to mind straight away. Famous for its pinot noir if you like red. But also cool climate shiraz, as is mornington peninsula [40 mins out of city]. This is some excellent red wines to be had north of Melbourne.

Sydney: Mudgee, Orange, Hunter Valley all a day trip. All excellent wines to be had there. Orange, Mudgee in particular for reds.

Adelaide is quite good. I would advise having a car, or you can arrange a tour bus [same for Melbourne and Sydney] but the bus wine tours tend to be expensive. It would cost you less to hire a car for the day. Just remember which side of the road to drive on.

Coonawarra less than 4 hours. McLaren Vale about 1 hour. From Adelaide. I don't know about public transportation.

There's got to be touristy stuff on a website. Found this:

O and if you get a chance go to Hahndorf.

Its an old German town. Its nice there. Adelaide Hills where it is is also a good wine region.

HTH,

Mat.

Mat.

Thanks to all for the response. I'm feeling better about venturing into an 'unknown' (to me) wine area.

Adrian - where is Penfold's Magill Estate? which area?

I notice no one mentioned Coonawarra. Any thoughts or comparisons? I am particularly interested in places where you can get close to the winemaking experience as I am an amateur winemaker myself always looking for more to learn, particularly about red wine.

thx again, dan

Hi Daniel - Penfold's Magill Estate is in Magill on the Adelaide plains. It's literally in the suburbs of Adelaide - just 10-15 minutes drive from the city. There's lots of public transport available to and from it.

Historically, this is the area where Dr Chrstopher Rawson Penfold lived and grew the grapes back in 1844 (just eight years after the small settlement of Adelaide was founded). The vines covered an area of approximately 200 hectares. They have managed to save only a few paddocks of the original vines - since been replaced with endless, unimaginative suburban housing.

In respects to Coonawarra - it's about 4 hours drive (add another hour or two if you take your time). The wines are great but the area as a 'tourist destination' is a fairly recent phenomenon. As such, the tasting areas are modern, smart but a little sterile. There placed along the main road through town and you don't get to experience the windy backroads and tin sheds. I love the area and would highly recommend it - but unless you're here for an extended peiod it's a bit tricky to get to and from.

The Barossa (just over an hour away), McLaren Vale (45 minutes) and Adelaide Hills (30 minutes) offers oodles of character by comparison. All easily achievable with a pleasant daytrip or extended stay

Good luck!.